U.S. patent application number 17/645492 was filed with the patent office on 2022-04-14 for localized heat treatment.
The applicant listed for this patent is KARSTEN MANUFACTURING CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Yujen Huang, Tyler Shaw, Matthew W. Simone, Dave Wu.
Application Number | 20220112570 17/645492 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-04-14 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20220112570 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wu; Dave ; et al. |
April 14, 2022 |
LOCALIZED HEAT TREATMENT
Abstract
Embodiments are described herein of a bifurcated heat treatment
apparatus and methods for localized heat treatment of a golf club
hosel or golf club head. The heat treating method comprises a
bifurcated process in which the golf club head is treated in the
first heating unit via induction heating and then moved to the
second heating unit for convection heating. Both steps are to
localize the hosel heat treatment. The heat treatment apparatus may
also include a cooling component, such as a heat sink, to ensure
the body of the club head remains at the correct temperature during
the second heating stage when the hosel is heated in isolation. The
overall bifurcated method and apparatus of the localized heat
treatment leads to a hosel or golf club head with at least two
different hardness values to allow for manipulation of the material
without cracking or fracturing.
Inventors: |
Wu; Dave; (Taipei, TW)
; Shaw; Tyler; (Paradise Valley, AZ) ; Simone;
Matthew W.; (Phoenix, AZ) ; Huang; Yujen;
(PingTung, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KARSTEN MANUFACTURING CORPORATION |
Phoenix |
AZ |
US |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/645492 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15680958 |
Aug 18, 2017 |
11208701 |
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17645492 |
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62376836 |
Aug 18, 2016 |
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International
Class: |
C21D 9/00 20060101
C21D009/00; A63B 53/02 20060101 A63B053/02; A63B 53/04 20060101
A63B053/04; C21D 1/42 20060101 C21D001/42 |
Claims
1. A method for heat treating a golf club comprising: casting a
golf club head configured to undergo a heat treatment comprising an
apparatus; wherein the apparatus defines a first heating unit at a
first position and a second heating unit at a second position
adjacent the first position, a conveyor belt, a hosel positioning
device, and a heat sink; placing the golf club head in the first
heating unit, wherein the first heating unit is an induction heater
comprising a first localized heating area; positioning the golf
club head using a hosel positions device that is coupled to a
conveyor belt, such that a hosel of the golf club head is located
inside the first localized heating area within a coiled tube and a
body of the golf club head is located outside of the first
localized heating area of the induction heater; heating the hosel
using the coiled tube comprising a first end and a second end
coupled to a power supply within the first localized heating area
of the induction heater for approximately 10 minutes; removing the
golf club head from the induction heater; transferring the hosel
positioning device immediately by means of a conveyor belt from the
first heating unit at the first position to a second localized
heating area at the second position; moving the golf club head to
the second heating unit by means of the conveyor belt, wherein the
second heating unit is a resistive heater comprising the second
localized heating area; positioning the golf club head using the
hosel positioning device such that the hosel of the golf club head
is located within the second localized heating area of the
resistive heater and the body of the golf club head is located
outside the second localized heating area; heating the hosel within
the second localized heating area of the resistive heater for
approximately 10 minutes; and removing the golf club head from the
resistive heater.
2. The method for heat treating of claim 1 wherein, the first and
second heating units have temperature ranges of approximately
740-860.degree. C. for a 17-4 steel alloy or approximately
640-800.degree. C. for a 431 steel alloy, carbon steel alloy, or
Chromium-Molybdenum steel alloy.
3. The method for heat treating of claim 1 wherein, the resistive
heater of the second heating unit further comprises: a first
heating element; and a second heating element positioned parallel
to the first heating element wherein the second localized heating
area is located between the first heating element and the second
heating element.
4. The method for heat treating of claim 1 wherein, the resistive
heater of the second heating unit further comprises: a first
separation piece extending perpendicularly and below the first
heating element; and a second separation piece extending
perpendicularly and below the second heating element; wherein: the
hosel positioning device is configured to position the hosel of the
golf club head between the first and second heating elements and
above the first and second separation pieces such that the body of
the golf club head is separated from the hosel and the first and
second heating elements.
5. The method for heat treating of claim 1 wherein, the first
heating element and the second heating element are comprised of a
material selected a group consisting of a PTC rubber, a PTC ceramic
element, and cupronickel.
6. The method for heat treating of claim 1 wherein, the coiled tube
is comprised of copper.
7. The method for heat treating of claim 1 wherein, the power
supply sends an electric current ranging from 50 to 450 kHz through
the coiled tube.
8. The method for heat treating of claim 1, wherein the first
heating unit moves from a first point to a second point at the same
pace as the conveyor belt, the second heating unit comprising an
extended length.
9. The method for heat treating of claim 1, the second heating unit
comprises a temperature gradient across length of the heater.
10. The method for heat treating of claim 1 wherein, the hosel
positioning device is a clamping device.
11. The method for heat treating of claim 1 wherein, the heat sink
is configured to be removable coupled to the body of the golf club
head in the first heating unit and the second heating unit.
12. The method for heat treating of claim 1 wherein, the heat sink
comprises a channel configured have a coolant pumped through the
channel.
13. The method for heat treating of claim 10 wherein, the heat sink
comprises a circulating system configured have a coolant pumped
through the heat sink.
14. The method for heat treating of claim 10 wherein, the coolant
is from a group consisting of water, air, hydrogen, and freon.
15. The method for heat treating of claim 1 wherein, the heat sink
comprises fins.
16. The method for heat treating of claim 13 wherein, the fins have
a shape selected from a group consisting of triangle, circular, and
rectangular.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
15/680,958 filed on Aug. 18, 2017, which claims the benefit to U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 62/376,836, filed on Aug. 18,
2016, which is incorporated fully herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Fitting a golf iron is a key aspect in a golfers program to
generate a repeatable swing for optimal ball striking. Face loft
angles are created by bending the golf club head at the hosel.
Currently, golf manufacturers use a notch or bend the hosel without
a notch for loft adjustments. Notch sizes vary between clubs and
new club designs, thereby making the uniform adjustment of clubs
difficult. Using a notch to adjust loft angle also reduces the
possible configurations of a hosel design. Directly bending the
hosel without the inclusion of a notch is a simpler and more
reproducible method of adjustment. However, if the hosel material
is not properly treated when casted and forged, the loft
adjustments can result in fractures or cracks in the hosel of the
golf club head. Therefore, there is a need in the art for a more
optimal hosel adjustment feature without a structural
modification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0003] For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing
figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and
descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may
be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure.
Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily
drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements
in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to
help improve understanding of embodiments of the present
disclosure. The same reference numerals in different figures denote
the same elements.
[0004] FIG. 1 is a front view of a golf club head.
[0005] FIG. 2 is a side view of the golf club head.
[0006] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a localized heat treatment
process.
[0007] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of an apparatus used during the
localized heat treatment process.
[0008] FIG. 5 is a split view of a cooling block.
[0009] FIG. 6 is a front view of the golf club head having a heat
sink.
[0010] FIG. 7 is an exemplary stress-strain curve illustrating the
relationship between brittle and ductile materials.
[0011] Other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent by
consideration of the detailed description and accompanying
drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] Described herein is a bifurcated heat treatment process
including a first heating step and a second heating step with
little to no cooling time between the first and second heating
steps. The second heating step is configured to slowly cool the
metal to room temperature. The process allows a manufacturer to
meet loft adjustment standards while maintaining a stiffer face
hardness. To achieve a club head with two different hardness areas
(i.e. the face, cavity, body vs. hosel) having two different
hardness values, a bifurcated, or segregated heating process is
required wherein localized heat treatments are isolated to the
hosel region over at least another portion of the golf club head.
For example, as discussed in greater detail below, the impact area
of the face can have a hardness value of HRC 38 or greater on the
Rockwell scale. The hosel, in contrast, can have a hardness value
of HRC 32 or less to enable loft adjustments based upon the
specifications of a golfer determined during a fitting process. To
achieve two different hardness values within these ranges on a
single club head, a bifurcated heat treatment process can include
using a furnace apparatus comprising two separate heat curing
steps. The present invention achieves the goal of a high strength
face having a hardness value greater than HRC 38, and a hosel
having a hardness value less than HRC 32, with or without a notch
for adjustment.
[0013] Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in
detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited
in its application to the details of construction and the
arrangement of components set forth in the following description or
illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of
other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in
various ways.
[0014] FIGS. 1-2 illustrate a golf club head 10 at an address
position relative to a ground plane 26. The golf club head 10
includes a body 12 and a hosel 14 containing a bore 16 for
receiving one end of a golf club shaft (not shown). The hosel 14
includes a hosel plane 20 extending through the center of the bore
16. The body 12 also includes a strike face 18 having a loft plane
22, which extends across the surface of the strike face 18.
Further, the hosel 14 of the golf club head 10 can comprise a notch
30 such as the notch described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,186,903, which is
incorporated herein by reference. Additionally, the strike face 18
of the golf club head 10 can include one or more grooves such as
the grooves describe in U.S. Pat. No. 8,790,193, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
[0015] One manner for adjusting the loft angle 24 of the club head
10, is bending the club head using the hosel 14 as the focal point.
To facilitate the bending process, the hosel 14 can be manufactured
to have a different hardness value than that of the strike face
18.
I) Localized Heat Treatment Process
[0016] The present invention is directed to a bifurcated heat
treating process including a first heating step and a second
heating step. The first heating step comprising induction heating.
The second heating step comprising electric or conventional heating
to achieve the desired hardness values of the club head.
[0017] A) Induction Heating
[0018] The first step utilizes induction heating, which generates
an alternating magnetic field penetrating the club head, creating a
current within the metal. The current excites the atoms within the
metal resulting in generation of heat. This method requires no
contact with the club head and can provide a precise localized area
to generate heat in the within the club head. The precision of
induction heating can create an uneven molecular structure and
result in weaknesses at certain points. Therefore, care is required
to provide proper heat treatment to the hosel. This includes, the
lack of a cooling step for the club head between the induction
heating step to the electrical or conventional heating step.
[0019] B) Electrical or Conventional Heating
[0020] The second step is a more general application of heat
through electric or conventional heating. Electric heating
functions by running electricity through a metal comprising a high
resistance value, causing the metal to emit heat. The golf club is
positioned adjacent to the electric heater and receives heat
through convection. The electric heater can also be applied to a
localized area of the golf club head. Electrical or conventional
heating it is not as precise as induction heating. The electric
heater can create a temperature gradient that can slowly cool the
club head from the end temperature of the induction heating step to
room temperature or a predetermined final temperature of the second
heating step over just allowing a heat treated club to cool to room
temperature with no additional heat added. The electric or
conventional heater allows the molecular structure of the club head
to create a uniform structure, growing grain larger grain
structures within the matrix of the metal, eliminating and weakness
points created during the induction heating step.
[0021] C) Overall Heat Treatment Step
[0022] i) Casting/Forging
[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates a localized heat treatment process 100
for forming the golf club head 10 having different hardness values
for the hosel 14 and the body 12 or strike face 18. With reference
to FIG. 3, the localized heat treatment process 100 includes a
first step 101 of forming a golf club head 10. The golf club head
10 is formed, for example, by machining, forging, casting, metal
injection molding or any other appropriate processes known to those
skilled in the art. Exemplary processes for stainless steel club
heads includes a casting step, using solvent solution and aging
heat treatment, and localized heat treatment for the hosel. Other
exemplary processes for carbon steel include a casting step, quench
and tempering heat treatment, followed by a partial heat treatment
of the hosel 14.
[0024] ii) Induction Heating Step
[0025] The golf club head 10 formed with a method described above
can be transferred to the first heat treatment step. With reference
to FIGS. 3 and 4, the localized heat treatment process 100 further
includes a second step 102 of placing the golf club head 10 in a
first heating unit 51 located at a first position 71, and a third
step 103 of positioning the golf club head 10 such that the hosel
14 is located within a first localized heating area 61 of the first
heating unit 51. In many embodiments, the golf club head 10 can be
manually or automatically placed in the first heating unit 51, and
manually or automatically positioned such that the hosel 14 is
positioned within the first localized heating area 61. Specific
devices and automated methods used to position the golf club head
10 are described further below.
[0026] Referring again to FIG. 3, the localized heat treatment
process 100 includes a fourth step 104 of heating the hosel 14
within the first localized heating area 61 of the first heating
unit 51. In many embodiments, the hosel 14 can be heated for
approximately 10 minutes. In other embodiments, the hosel may be
heated within the range of approximately 5-60 minutes, 5-10
minutes, 5-15 minutes, 5-20 minutes, 10-30 minutes, 30-60 minutes,
1-2 hours, 1-3 hours, or 1-6 hours. In many embodiments, the first
localized heating area 61 can range in temperature from
approximately 600.degree. C. to 1000.degree. C. In other
embodiments, the temperature of the first localized heating area 61
can be approximately 1000.degree. C., 950.degree. C., 900.degree.
C., 850.degree. C., 800.degree. C., 750.degree. C., 700.degree. C.,
650.degree. C., or 600.degree. C. For example, in one embodiment,
the first localized heating area 61 can have a temperature of
800.degree. C. In some embodiments, the body 12 or strike face 18
can comprise components to regulate the temperature of the body 12
or strike face 18 while the hosel 14 is being heat treated, these
components are described in more detail below.
[0027] iii) Transferring Club Head Step
[0028] The golf club head 10 can be removed and transferred to the
second heating step.
[0029] Referring again to FIG. 3, the localized heat treatment 100
further comprises a fifth step 105 of removing the golf club head
10 from the first heating unit 51, and a sixth step 106 including
placing the golf club head 10 in a second heating unit 52 at a
second position 72 located adjacent to the first position 71. The
club head 10 is transferred directly from the first heating unit 51
to the second heating unit 52 with little to no cooling time. As
discussed above and in more detail below, the lack of a cooling
step in between heating steps promotes the growth of grain
structures within the matrix of the material. In many embodiments,
the golf club head 10 can be manually or automatically removed from
the first heating unit 51, and manually or automatically
transferred to the second heating step. Specific devices and
automated methods used to position the golf club head 10 are
described further below.
[0030] iv) Conventional Heating Step
[0031] A seventh step 107 comprises positioning the golf club head
10 such that the hosel 14 is positioned within a second localized
heating area 62 of the second heating unit 52. In many embodiments,
the golf club head 10 can be manually or automatically placed in
the second heating unit 52 and manually or automatically positioned
such that the hosel 14 is positioned within the second localized
heating area 62. Specific devices and automated methods used to
position the golf club head 10 are described further below.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 3, the localized heat treatment process
100 includes an eighth step 108 wherein the hosel 14 is heated
within the second localized heating area 62 of the second heating
unit 52. The second localized heating area 62 of the second heating
unit 52 can begin at the same temperature as describe for the first
heating unit 51 described above. However, the temperature of the
second heating unit 52 can decrease over a period of time while the
hosel 14 is located within the second localized heating area 62. In
many embodiments, the second localized heating area 62 can have a
first temperature in the range of 600.degree. C. to 1000.degree. C.
and a final temperature in the range of 0.degree. C. to
1000.degree. C. In some embodiments, the first temperature of the
second localized heating area 62 can be approximately 1000.degree.
C., 950.degree. C., 900.degree. C., 850.degree. C., 800.degree. C.,
750.degree. C., 700.degree. C., 650.degree. C., or 600.degree. C.
and the final temperature can be approximately 0.degree. C.,
100.degree. C., 200.degree. C., 300.degree. C., 400.degree. C.,
500.degree. C., 600.degree. C., 700.degree. C., 800.degree. C., or
900.degree. C. This decrease in temperature over a period of time
allows the metal to cool at a slower pace creating a larger uniform
grain structure within the matrix of the metal. In many
embodiments, the hosel 14 can be heated for approximately 10
minutes. In other embodiments, the hosel may be heated within the
range of approximately 5-60 minutes, 5-10 minutes, 5-15 minutes,
5-20 minutes, 10-30 minutes, 30-60 minutes, 1-2 hours, 1-3 hours,
1-6 hours, 6-12 hours, or 12-24 hours. For example, in some
embodiments, the second localized heating area 62 can begin at a
temperature of 800.degree. C. and finish at a temperature of
20.degree. C. and the change in temperature can occur over a 30
minute period. In some embodiments, the body 12 or strike face 18
can comprise components to regulate the temperature of the body 12
or strike face 18 while the hosel 14 is being heat treated, these
component are described in more detail below. [0033] v) Removing
the Club Head from the Heat Treatment Process
[0034] Referring again to FIG. 3, the localized heat treatment
process 100 comprises a ninth step 109 including removing the golf
club head 10 from the second heating unit. In many embodiments, the
golf club head 10 can be manually or automatically removed from the
second heating unit 52. Specific devices and automated methods used
to position the golf club head 10 are described further below.
II) Resulting Hardness/Grain Structure
[0035] As a result from the localized heat treatment process 100
describe in detail above, a golf club head 10 is created having two
different hardness areas, (i.e. the strike face 18, cavity, body 12
vs. hosel 14) having two different hardness values. The localized
heat treatment process 100 discusses using a bifurcated heat
treatment process wherein the first heating step applies a precise
heat treatment to the hosel 14 and a direct transition with little
to no cooling time to the second heating step. The second heating
step involves a temperature gradient over a predetermined time
period to slowly cool the metal. Slowly cooling the metal promotes
the growth of uniform large grain structures within the matrix of
the metal. The larger the grain structures within a metal, the more
ductile that metal is. Ductile is a term used to describe the
ability to permanently or plastically deform a material before the
material fractures or cracks. This means that the hosel 14 created
through the localized heat treatment process 100, having a large
grain structure and a high ductility, is less likely to fracture,
or crack when compared with a brittle material. Brittle materials
having a small grain structure can result from rapidly cooling the
metal or allowing the metal to cool at a constant room temperature
have higher maximum strengths but tend to fracture or crack rather
than bend. A brittle material is proven to be beneficial for the
strike face 18 of the club head 10 as it has a high strength when
impacting the ball and will not bend. FIG. 7 illustrates an
exemplary stress-strain curve, which illustrates the relationship
between brittle and ductile materials. The brittle material has a
greater strength, but fractures rather than bends when a stress
greater than its yield strength is applied, as mentioned this is
beneficial for a strike face 18. A ductile material has a large
region wherein the metal will bend (plastic deformation) prior to
fracturing, beneficial to for the hosel 14 allowing a manufacturer
to apply a specified loft without fracturing the metal.
[0036] As describe above it is beneficial to have a softer more
ductile hosel 14, and a harder more brittle strike face 14. The
localized heat treatment process 100 focuses the treatment on the
hosel 14 creating a club head 10 having a softer more ductile hosel
14, and a harder more brittle strike face 18. This process 100 can
be applied to any type of metal club head. In many embodiments, the
golf club head 10 can comprise a steel alloy, a carbon steel alloy,
a titanium alloy, a composite or any other suitable material. In
other embodiments the club head can comprise a 17-4 steel alloy, a
431 steel alloy, a carbon steel alloy, or a chromium-molybdenum
steel alloy. Further, the hardness of the finished materials can
vary. In many embodiments, the process can create a hosel 14 having
a hardness value of HRC 32 or below on the Rockwell scale and a
strike face 18 having hardness value of HRC 38 or above on the
Rockwell scale. In other embodiments, the hosel 14 can have a
hardness value of HRC 32, HRC 30, HRC 28, HRC 26, HRC 24, HRC 22,
HRC 20, or HRC 18, while the strike face 18 can have a hardness
value of HRC 38, HRC 40, HRC 42, HRC 44, HRC 46, HRC 48, or HRC 50.
For example, in some embodiments, the hosel can have a hardness
value of HRC 24, and the strike face 18 can have a hardness value
of HRC 42. Table 1 illustrates the desired temperatures for a
variety of exemplary metals to reach the desired hardness level. In
many embodiments, referring to Table 1 below, a 17-4 steel alloy
can be heated in the temperature range of approximately
740-860.degree. C., 740-780.degree. C., 780-820.degree. C., or
820-860.degree. C. Further, in many embodiments, referring to Table
1 below, a 431 steel alloy, a carbon steel alloy, or a
chromium-molybdenum steel alloy can be heated to a temperature
between 640-800.degree. C., 640-680.degree. C., 680-720.degree. C.,
720-760.degree. C., or 760-800.degree. C.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Exemplary club head materials, heat
treatment temperatures, and hardness values Materials Temperature
(.degree. C.) Hosel Hardness (HRC) 17-4 Steel Alloy 740~860 22~34
431 Steel Alloy 640~800 16~28 Carbon Steel 640~800 10~25 Cr--Mo
Steel Alloy 640~800 10~25
[0037] Having a softer more ductile hosel 14 allows the
manufacturer the ability to more consistently and confidently apply
a specified loft to a golfer's clubs. The manufacturer may apply a
loft angle 24 to a club head by bending the club head 10 at a point
on the hosel 14. With further reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the golf
club head 10 comprises a loft angle 24 defined as the angle between
the hosel plane 20 and the loft plane 22. In many embodiments, the
loft angle 24 of the golf club head 10 can range from 10 degrees to
80 degrees. In some embodiments, the loft angle 24 can be less than
or equal to approximately 80 degrees, 75 degrees, 70 degrees, 65
degrees, 60 degrees, 55 degrees, 50 degrees, 45 degrees, 40
degrees, 35 degrees, 30 degrees, 25 degrees, or 20 degrees. For
example, in other embodiments, the loft angle 24 can be 60
degrees.
III) Localized Heat Treatment Apparatus
[0038] An apparatus comprising a first heating unit 51 and a second
heating unit 52 can be used to perform the localized heat treating
process 100, creating the golf club head 10, describe above. With
reference to FIG. 4, an apparatus 300 is illustrated, which can be
used to perform the localized heat treatment process 100. The
apparatus 300 comprises a first heating unit 51 located at a first
position 71 configured to perform a first type of heat treatment
and a second heat treatment unit 52 located at a second position 72
adjacent to the first heat treatment unit 51 and configured to
perform a second type of heat treatment. Both, the first and the
second heat treatment units 51,52 include localized heat areas
focused on the hosel 14 of the golf club head 10.
[0039] With additional reference to FIG. 4, the first heating unit
51 can be an induction heater comprising a power supply 55 and a
coiled tube 56. The coiled tube 56 can be coupled to the power
supply 55 at a first end 58 and a second end 59. The area inside
the coiled tube 56 can define the first localized heating area 61.
The power supply 55 can be configured to send an electric current
ranging from 50 to 450 kHz through the coiled tube 56. In many
embodiments, the coiled tube 56 can comprise a copper wire. In
other embodiments, the coiled tube 56 can comprise a different
metal having a low resistance, such as silver, gold, aluminum or
any other suitable metal. In other embodiments, the first heating
unit 51 can comprise an electric heater, a laser heater, a batch
heater or any other suitable heater known to a person skilled in
the art.
[0040] The second heating unit 52 can be an electric heater
comprising a first heating element 65 and a second heating element
66. The first heating element 65 and the second heating element 66
are parallel and spaced apart from each other, the area between the
two heating elements 65,66 defines the second localized heating
area 72. In some embodiments, the second heating unit 52 can
comprise a first separation piece 76 and a second separation piece
78. The first and second separation pieces 76,78 can extend
perpendicularly and be positioned below the first and second
heating elements 65,66 further defining the second localized
heating area 62. In many embodiments, the heating elements are
comprised of a nichrome material. In other embodiments, the heating
elements may comprise a different material having a high
resistance, such as a PTC rubber, PTC ceramic elements, cupronickel
or any other material having a high electrical resistance. In other
embodiments, the second heating unit 52 can comprise an induction
heater, a laser heater, a batch heater or any other suitable heater
known to a person skilled in the art.
[0041] In other embodiments, the apparatus 300 can comprise 3 or
more heating units. Further, the heating units can be configured to
receive a plurality of club head 10 at a time.
IV) Devices and Automated Methods to Position the Golf Club
Head
[0042] As discussed above the localized heat treatment process 100
can include the golf club head 10 being manually or automatically
placed in the second heating unit 52 and manually or automatically
positioned such that the hosel 14 is positioned within the second
localized heating area 62. Different devices can be used to
accomplish these steps. With Reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, in some
embodiments, the second step 102 can comprise placing the golf club
head 10 in a device 40. The third step 103 can comprise placing the
device 40 in the first heating unit 51. Additionally, the fifth
step 105 can comprise removing the device from the first heating
unit, the sixth step 106 can comprise placing the device 40 in the
second heating unit 52, and the seventh step 107 comprising
positioning the hosel 14 in the second localized heating area 62 is
no longer necessary as the device is configured to position the
hosel 14 in the correct position. In some embodiments, the device
40 utilizes a clamping mechanism. In other embodiments, the device
can use a restraining mechanism, such as a strapping mechanism, a
pinching mechanism, a magnetic mechanism or any other suitable
restraining mechanism.
[0043] In yet another embodiment, the device 40 can be coupled to a
conveyor belt 90 configured to transfer the device from the first
heating unit 51 to the second heating unit 52. In some embodiments,
the conveyor belt will move the golf club head 10 into the first
and second heating units 51,52 and remain stationary for the
allotted heating time period. In other embodiments, the first
heating unit 51 will move with the conveyor belt for a
pre-determined distance corresponding with the heating time
required for the hosel 14 to reach the desired hardness. Further,
the second heating unit 52 can comprise an elongated localized
heating area 62 wherein there is a temperature gradient across its
length. The first end of the second heating unit 52 can be a first
temperature and the second end of the second heating unit 52 can be
the final temperature, discussed above. The conveyor belt 90 can
move the device 40 including the golf club head 10 along the length
of the second heating unit 52 at a certain pace corresponding with
the heating time required for the hosel 14 to reach the desired
hardness.
V) Cooling Components for Golf Club Head Body or Strike Face
[0044] As discussed above, the heat treating process 100 can
include components to regulate the temperature of the body 12 or
strike face 18 while the hosel 14 is being heat treated. Referring
to FIG. 5, in one embodiment, the body 12 can comprise a cooling
block 200 configured to transfer heat away from the body 12 during
the localized heat treatment process 100. The cooling block 200 is
molded to cover the entire body 12 and is comprised of a material
having a high thermal conductivity. In many embodiments, the
cooling block 200 can be comprised of copper, silver, aluminum or
any other suitable material. For example, in some embodiments, the
cooling block 200 is comprised of copper. Additionally, in many
embodiments, the cooling block 200 can comprise channels 202
configured to have a coolant pumped through the cooling block 202
to further increase the quantity of heat being transferred from the
body 12. In many embodiments, the coolant can be water, air,
hydrogen, freon or any other suitable coolant. For example, in some
embodiments, the coolant is water.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 6, in another embodiment, a heat sink 210
is illustrated. The heat sink 210 is configured to be removably
coupled to the strike face 18 during the localized heat treating
process 100. While the hosel 14 is being heat treated to achieve a
desired hardness level the heat sink 210 can be positioned on the
strike face 18 to further displace unwanted heat from the strike
face 18. Additionally, the heat sink 210 can have a plurality of
fins 212 extending opposite the strike face 18. The fins 212 can
aid to remove heat by creating a greater surface area for a
convection process to occur. In many embodiments, the fins can have
circular, triangular, rectangular or any other suitable shape. For
example, in some embodiments, the fins can have a circular
cross-section. The fins 212 can comprise any height within the
range of 0.01'' to 5'' from the surface of the heat sink 210.
Further, the heat sink 210 can comprise a circulating system 214
configured to have a coolant pumped through the heat sink 210 to
increase the effect that the heat sink 210 has on displacing
unwanted heat from the strike face 18. In many embodiments, the
coolant can be water, air, hydrogen, freon or any other suitable
coolant. For example, in some embodiments, the coolant is
water.
[0046] Replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes
reconstruction and not repair. Additionally, benefits, other
advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with
regard to specific embodiments. The benefits, advantages, solutions
to problems, and any element or elements that may cause any
benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced,
however, are not to be construed as critical, required, or
essential features or elements of any or all of the claims.
[0047] As the rules to golf may change from time to time (e.g., new
regulations may be adopted or old rules may be eliminated or
modified by golf standard organizations and/or governing bodies
such as the United States Golf Association (USGA), the Royal and
Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (R&A), etc.), golf equipment
related to the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture
described herein may be conforming or non-conforming to the rules
of golf at any particular time. Accordingly, golf equipment related
to the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described
herein may be advertised, offered for sale, and/or sold as
conforming or non-conforming golf equipment. The apparatus,
methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not
limited in this regard.
[0048] While the above examples may be described in connection with
an iron-type golf club, the apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture described herein may be applicable to other types of
golf club such as a driver-type golf club, a fairway wood-type golf
club, a hybrid-type golf club, a wedge-type golf club, or a
putter-type golf club. Alternatively, the apparatus, methods, and
articles of manufacture described herein may be applicable other
type of sports equipment such as a hockey stick, a tennis racket, a
fishing pole, a ski pole, etc.
[0049] Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are
not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the
embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in
the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express
elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of
equivalents.
[0050] Various features and advantages of the disclosure are set
forth in the following claims.
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